Scientific Sexism

Scientific Sexism was a new study created to have scientific evidence and support for proving women inferior to men. They were seen as physically smaller and therefore had less stamina. This was due to the fact that they fainted more, which was most likely because of the tight-lacing used in their clothing. They were also proved inferior because they were physically incapacitated monthly due to menstruation. It was also said that a women’s nervous system was weaker and more prone to fatigue due to the reproduction system. Women were also seen intellectually inferior. Ability of the brain was measured in a brain to body ratio. Men said women had smaller brains and were therefore unable to keep up intellectually with men. This was taken back when it was proven that the brain to body ration of women is in fact higher than that of men. Women were expected to channel all of their energies into reproduction. Most of the accusations proved nothing and were vague evidence for the sexism that spread throughout the 19Th century.

Citation
Lavender. "The Cult of Domesticity and True Womanhood."
www.library.csi.cuny.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2010.
truewoman.html>.